E-Cigarettes and Oral Health

June, 25, 2019 by Dr Vidya Varathan Dental Care

According to Harvard Medical School, cigarettes are killing 480,000 people every year in the United States, making it the most preventable disease. E-cigarettes have been touted as a safer alternative, are do not stain your teeth in the same way as regular cigarettes, however, there are a few things to know before you start vaping.

E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco like other cigarettes, but they do burn nicotine. There have been a number of concerns raised about the usage of nicotine in liquid form, which usually comes in a plethora of different flavours. This nicotine is not only what makes it addictive, but it is also linked to a number of conditions that may affect dental health. Nicotine can cause a shortage of saliva as well as halitosis, or bad breath. It can also lead to an increase in cavities since it accelerates tooth decay.

While e-cigarettes may be a better alternative than conventional tobacco cigarettes for smokers, non-smokers and first-time users are advised to avoid them as there are still a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to the effects of vaping on the health of a person.